Silence, Sound and Harmony - Perspectives on Music and Spirituality “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” Aldous Huxley Sound and soul are vibrational and a reflection of each other. Both contain the potential to enable healing, connection and transcendence. In this session, Rodney draws parallels between the dynamics of our human and spiritual experience and the fundamental elements of music, such as dynamics, pitch, harmony and silence. Speaker: Rodney Browne As a regular student of Raja Yoga, Rodney enjoys the transformative power of spiritual knowledge and silence, which he shares in weekly online i-movie meditations. Since age 6, he has found creative expression through music which he has studied up to MSC level (acoustic composition). Recently retired as Head of Music, he teaches piano, facilitates 'Spirituality and Men' events and delivers talks on spiritual topics.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking about yourself less. In a world that often rewards pride and self-promotion, it is often taken as a weakness. In reality, humility is a powerful, understated virtue that can open us to growth, build trust and strengthen relationships. Speaker: Rachel Priestman Rachel’s varied career has spanned librarianship, urban regeneration, PR and marketing, events and arts management - and a few other things in between. She currently volunteers with the Brahma Kumaris at Global Co-operation House in London, and is a member of the UK Media & Communications team.

It’s hard to explain, difficult, if not impossible, for the mind to see. Few people have an awareness of it. Yet we intuitively know that it feels like an accurate way to understand the reality that lies beyond separation. Sometimes known as ONENESS, it’s just that the mind, accustomed to seeing separated objects, is unlikely to ever know it! But an awakening intellect comes close when it becomes divine. Why? Is one of the questions which Mike will approach this evening as he reveals why there is another reality behind the things we think we know! Speaker: Mike George is a management tutor, spiritual coach and an author of sixteen books. In a unique blend of insight, wisdom and humour Mike brings together the three key strands of the 21st century – self-awareness, emotional/spiritual intelligence and continuous ‘unlearning.’ Mike is a highly entertaining speaker known for his ability to unite head and heart. For the last 30 years he has been guiding and facilitating the executive development of leaders in companies and communities in over 30 countries. He coaches and mentors individuals towards their own vision of inner success, and helps teams find more cohesive ways to work together and motivate themselves. His books include Being Your Self, Don’t Get MAD Get Wise, The 7 Myths About LOVE and Untangling Religion and Spirituality.

We all carry baggage - past mistakes, regrets, fears, and limiting beliefs that weigh us down. Like any traveller embarking on a journey, why carry extra weight? This talk is about recognising our baggage, understanding the cost of holding onto it, learning to let go of what no longer serves us and stepping into the best version of ourselves. Speaker: Mark Fleming Mark has been a student and teacher of meditation for over 30 years. He is currently based at the Brahma Kumaris Global Retreat Centre near Oxford but prior to that he was part of the team at the Lighthouse Retreat Centre in Worthing. Mark has a keen interest in understanding the effect our consciousness has on both our personal future as well as the future of the world. He shares these discoveries with lightness and depth.

Life is simple, for ourselves and for everyone else, when we live with healthy boundaries but it can feel intimidating to create and maintain them. This talk will include an exploration of the delicate balance between boundaries as barriers or bridges. How boundaries define our spaces and interactions and are they fixed or fluid? What are the qualities and strengths we need to create and maintain healthy boundaries? Speaker: Shireen Chada, a long time meditator with the Brahma Kumaris, is an experienced designer and facilitator of meditation retreats and workshops. Based in Tampa, Florida, she is the co-host of a weekly podcast: Spiritual Sense: How to Stay Awake and Become Your Best. Shireen is also the creator and presenter of Release Your Wings YouTube channel and author of five books on meditation: God’s Blessing for You, Soul Fitness, Oh My Goodness!, True Hollywood Blockbuster, and Insperience the Divine. Shireen presents intelligent, refreshingly creative and unmistakably authentic wisdom to powerfully uplift the soul.

Earth Day reminds us that our planet is not just a place, it is a living system that we humans are a part of. This means that every kind action, every thoughtful choice, helps towards making the planet a better and more sustainable place. Our choice of energy also has an impact. Consider the sun's energy, a pure source of light and warmth that sustains and nurtures all life. It is a clean energy that can be harnessed to power the planet but it also has a deep spiritual significance. Our speaker Aneta Loj talks about inspiring solar energy projects as well as exploring the deep connection between renewable energy and soul empowerment. Speaker: Aneta Loj, Director of the Brahma kumaris in Poland, is a seasoned professional with a unique blend of experience in sustainability, renewable energy, corporate leadership, and spirituality. Her deep commitment to caring for the environment and capacity building has led her to engage in impactful community projects. Since 2011, she has been an R&D Coordinator for the India One Solar Thermal Power Plant located at the Shantivan campus of the Brahma Kumaris in Rajasthan. As the Focal Point of the Brahma Kumaris at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Aneta actively participates in global environmental discussions and has represented the Brahma Kumaris at numerous UN climate change conferences. Embracing the inside-out approach, she is dedicated to contributing to a dignified, just, and harmonious world for all.

On the occasion of Earth Day 2025, let’s learn eco-spiritual tools to create a sustainable planet. After the event you are also welcome to join the Global Meditation Hour (6:30 - 7:30 pm) for world peace. Booking Essential | In-House event at Global Co-operation House, 65-69 Pound Lane, Willesden Green, London, NW10 2HH Krishna Gandhi, CEO and Founder of Psimonix, has been dedicated to advancing neuroscience and ethical innovation. Since 2012, she has been a committed advocate for veganism, inspired by her realization of the widespread impact of animal cruelty. This journey has deepened her understanding of the environmental and spiritual challenges facing the planet, motivating her to encourage choices that reflect compassion and sustainability. Krishna is focused on improving well-being for human upliftment. Psimonix bridges the connection between the mind and body, developing an innovative tool like PsiSense, a non-invasive hormone screening tool through the brain signals. With a focus on awareness and mindfulness, Psimonix fosters a vision of interconnectedness, helping individuals reconsider their relationships with themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Maureen Goodman is the Programme Director for Brahma Kumaris, UK and the Brahma Kumaris representative at the United Nations, Vienna. Maureen has endeavoured to make spirituality accessible to people at all levels of society including in healthcare, education, with young people and women’s issues. From 1991, for 20 years, she oversaw the Brahma Kumaris work within the UK prison system, ‘Spirituality in Prison’, offering meditation and values-based workshops in prisons and residential seminars for staff. Maureen has had long term involvement in inter-religious dialogue and represents the Brahma Kumaris on the Board of Religious Leaders of the Elijah Interfaith Institute and The Peace Pledge to Live Loving-Kindness & Compassion. She is currently involved in preparing the Brahma Kumaris contribution to Climate Change Conferences (COPs), exploring the connection between our inner state of being and the state of our Earth.

All things have their time, all questions and situations have their answers, and all things have their right to be. -Dadi Janki When things don’t go according to plan, trusting life’s timing can feel like a leap of faith, especially in a world that values instant results. It can feel challenging to surrender control and go with the natural flow. Join our speaker tonight to discover: • What must we let go of in order to embrace life’s flow? • What inner resources do we need to develop? • Can we really trust that life’s timing has got it ‘right’?! Speaker: Manda Patel is a student and teacher of Raja Yoga meditation with more than 40 years of experience. A gifted teacher and speaker whose warmth, clarity and authenticity make the spiritual journey feel accessible and doable for all. She plays a key administrative role in Brahma Kumaris activities in the UK and also as a member of the Coordinating Team of the Global Retreat Centre, near Oxford. Sister Manda travels widely as an ambassador of the simple spiritual understandings that lie behind the philosophy of the Brahma Kumaris.

We all make judgments, but are they serving us? Beyond simple decision-making, the habit of judging others fuels our ego and reinforces our prejudices. It can become so ingrained that we do not even realise how harmful this pattern can be to ourselves and others and what a loss it can cause. Our speaker this evening will explore: • the roots of judgement and its effects • why the habit of judgement is so hard to break • how we can break free of the cycle and experience a greater level of connectedness Speaker: Yogesh Sharda A student and teacher of Raja Yoga meditation for over 40 years, Yogesh has been a personal development trainer and workshop facilitator for over 20 years. He has presented seminars, workshops and courses for businesses, hospitals, universities, youth organisations and local community groups throughout Europe, Asia, Australasia, the USA, and Central and South America. Currently based in Istanbul, Yogesh coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris in Turkey.

Did you know that clarity of thought depends a lot on how tidy our cupboards are? Hard to believe, but just because the mess is out of sight does not mean it is out of mind. Also true is that when we have confused thinking, agitation and indecision, our homes are likely to become messy and disorganised – a mirror of our minds. Join us for tips and insights on how to tidy the mind – and see what it can do for our home. Speaker: Cherry Steinberg Cherry Steinberg is a retired Occupational Therapist. She has been studying and teaching Raja Yoga meditation with the Brahma Kumaris for around 40 years and coordinated a Midlands centre from 1988 to 2017. Cherry is now resident in the Brahma Kumaris Admin centre in Leeds, where she is part of the team, teaching meditation and doing outreach work. Since retiring, she has developed interests in self care, deepening her spiritual practices and living more simply.

Are you aware that you are so smart? Speaker: Hans Haiert Hans Haiert takes an entertaining and insightful look at the similarities of the functioning of a smartphone and the interplay of body and soul. Hans has been a student of the Brahma Kumaris since 1990 and has helped in the coordination of the Munich Centre since 1995. He also assists with BK service on a national level in Germany. His speciality is to look at this spiritual knowledge from the universal perspectives of science, psychology and philosophy. Hans has shared his insights in lectures and seminars in more than 40 countries. A qualified lawyer, specialising in environmental laws, he also holds a degree in economics.

"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened" Mark Twain Is worry written into life? Perhaps it seems inevitable if we have responsibilities to meet, goals to attain, relationships to nurture. But to what extent are worries just habitual thought patterns, well worn scripts we unconsciously replay, that impact our health and wellbeing? Join our speaker for this evening to unravel some of the threads of this pervasive habit and explore practical steps we can take to break the worry cycle and restore inner peace. Speaker: Sarah Trueman Sarah Trueman is an engaging facilitator with a light hearted and down to earth approach. She enjoys sharing the methods she uses to experience self-esteem. Sarah has been a student of Raja Yoga meditation for over 20 years, creating self-development workshops both for the Brahma Kumaris and as a self-employed trainer and coach in the public and private sectors. She currently facilitates and coordinates events and social media for the Brahma Kumaris in Leeds.